TV License - Is it harder to avoid paying?

[Vini]

I live with a friend in a flat, our TV is solely used for Xbox and DVD's and NEVER TV. Our TV Lic is up for renewal...

Is it more difficult to avoid paying it, than just splashing out?

[SmileyUK]

yes you get caught and then they read you your rights when they caution you on your doorstep. Must say i found the whole thing very amusing

if your tv has a tuner then you need a license regardless if you are using it or not i believe.

[rs4847]

TV Licensing are scum, not only do you get threating letters, they also send round the heavymob from time to time that try to gain access to your property without a warrant.

You can inform them that you have no need for a license, but you have to keep reminding them every three months otherwise you'll end up back on their DB.

[Krakkenbus]

Afaik you don't need a TV licence to use a TV to play DVDs and your xbox

The only time you need one is when you actually watch it, as in bbc1 and whatever

[Lee H]

if your going to be using bbc iplayer or any other similar on demand system then you'll need a license.

[Vini]

The only time you need one is when you actually watch it, as in bbc1 and whatever

Exactly, but it's probably easier to just pay the £140 and be without the hassle of them cold calling etc...

We don't watch anything at all. Perhaps the odd Who's Line is it Anyway on Dave when we're really really bored... but we could do without that.

[Krakkenbus]

If it was me, I'd not pay the £140.

I'd just go about declaring that you don't actually use it for terrestrial vewing

[kalniel]

It depends what the TV was purchased/installed for.

If the TV was originally purchased/installed for watching any television service then you need a license.

Removing the installation (ie, removing aerial cable, untuning the TV) should be sufficient to get around it, but you'll have to cope with inspections to prove that you've not subsequently installed it again.

[usxhe190]

You don't need a license if you are not watching BROADCAST TV. It doesn't matter if what was the original intention. If you stop using your TV to receive TV broadcast, you don't have to pay anymore.

I.e. if you are using your tv just for DVDs and Xbox, you do NOT have to pay license.

HOWEVER, the BBC and TVL will keep harassing you with threathing letters (because they think no one in the right mind would have a TV just for DVD and not watching broadcast TV).

Just remember that they do not have police powers (i.e. cannot caution you), and you don't need to open the door to them - they are just salesmen.

You don't have to tell them you aren't using your TV to watch broadcasts. Even if you tell them you don't watch broadcast TV, they think you have to give them the right to access your home to check. That is a lie, you don't have to.

[rufeo]

we've got a tv at the flat, but not using it for watching broadcasted tv. what i did was call up the tv licensing company and told them that we have a tv but not using for broadcasted tv. they said they would update their records and stop sending the letters. they also said that they would send someone over to check, but that never happened and its been almost two yrs. mind you they do send a reminder each yr so you'll have to tell them each yr that you're not using it.

[kalniel]

You don't need a license if you are not watching BROADCAST TV. It doesn't matter if what was the original intention. If you stop using your TV to receive TV broadcast, you don't have to pay anymore.

That's not how I understood the license act - it seems to say that usage isn't all that important, it's the fact you have a TV that's installed to recieve television services that causes you to need a license.

So even if you just use it for DVDs/Xbox, if you are capable of recieving channels on the TV then you have to have a license.

[joshwa]

If you don't watch TV, then write them a letter stating you don't use the TV, send it recorded, they'll usually leave you alone for 2 - 3 years then check again. (remind them it's their duty under the data protection act to keep their records up to date)

DVDs, XBOX, is fine, and doesn't need a tv license. BBC iplayer (link) / Channel4 online (4OD), and other online stuff does not currently require a TV license. (check their terms and conditions...) but it may require a TV license if they start doing live broadcasts over the internet...

[spiral out]

I use my TV solely for computer and dvd watching and have made the TV license people aware of this and they have no problem with it at all.

You only need a license if you watch TV as it's broadcast.

[neonplanet40]

To be honest i was in the halls at uni this year and they sent us all legal documents telling us we were going to court etc. I didnt pay and neither did the rest of the people i live with. The reception was terrible and the only channels we received was RTE.

So they just seem to use alot of scare tactics and by the time they would eventually send someone we had already moved out as it was the end of the year! They wont be getting a penny of me.

[usxhe190]

That's not how I understood the license act - it seems to say that usage isn't all that important, it's the fact you have a TV that's installed to recieve television services that causes you to need a license.

So even if you just use it for DVDs/Xbox, if you are capable of recieving channels on the TV then you have to have a license.

The general interpretation that is accepted under law and by both TVLicensing and BBC within FOI requests is if you have a TV and you don't plug it to an ariel to watch broadcast tv, you are fine.

Obviously, it is another matter whether TVL actually adhere to this in their practices.

[usxhe190]

If you don't watch TV, then write them a letter stating you don't use the TV, send it recorded, they'll usually leave you alone for 2 - 3 years then check again. (remind them it's their duty under the data protection act to keep their records up to date)

They might replied back and say they want to check your premises to confirm this. They have no right for this and at which point, you have NO obligation to let them into your private premises.